Arsenal can save £114m on four players available on free transfers from January

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Arsenal may have spent close to £150million this summer but the Gunners could now get the chance to save millions on several stars approaching the end of their contracts. Every year there is a long list of names of players potentially up for grabs on a free transfer and the Bosman rule means clubs can negotiate with any individual in the final six months of their current deal.

It’s the perfect chance to save some money on transfer funds although, historically, these players will demand significant pay packets.

Over the years, Arsenal have found themselves handicapped by a number of players who ran their contracts down at the Emirates Stadium before failing to agree new deals.

The likes of Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez then departed on a free or for peanuts and the Gunners will want to avoid doing that in the future.

Instead, Arsenal should look to flip the switch and capitalise on the unique market, where there are plenty of bargains to be had.

Express Sport looks at four players Arsenal could hypothetically snap up that coincide with their current transfer policy…

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Franck Kessie – AC Milan

Franck Kessie has done his fair share of negotiating with AC Milan but the club are not willing to match his financial demands.

Now they are preparing to wave goodbye to the Ivorian powerhouse, who is deemed one of the club’s best players.

Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham are amongst the list of clubs said to be interested in his services.

Arsenal should also enter the fray and while winning the race for his signature will prove difficult, Kessie would be the perfect midfield partner for Thomas Partey.

Transfermarkt say he’s valued at £49.5m, meaning Arsenal should throw the kitchen sink at signing him, even if it means paying him big money.

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Denis Zakaria – Borussia Monchengladbach

Should Arsenal fail in their pursuit of Kessie, Gladbach’s Denis Zakaria could be the ideal alternative.

The Swiss international has been on Arsenal’s radar in the past and he is a fine box-to-box midfielder who thrives off winning tackles and interceptions.

At just 24, Zakaria has plenty of room to improve after slightly losing his way at Gladbach.

Once again, he’s a player still of significant value according to Transfermarkt at £27m.

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Alessio Romagnoli – AC Milan

If Mikel Arteta wants another leader in his dressing room, Alessio Romagnoli is certainly a great candidate.

He is the captain of AC Milan and is still yet to agree a new deal at the San Siro.

In the past, Romagnoli has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and now Arsenal could seriously strengthen their backline if they were to land the 26-year-old.

Even with less than a year left on his contract, Romagnoli is still valued at £22.5m.

Crucially, he is also left-footed, which could help provide Arteta with some additional balance at the back.

Gabriel Magalhaes’ fitness issues continued to be a problem, meaning Arteta has had to call on the likes of Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding.

Romagnoli would certainly represent a step up in quality at the back, one Arsenal desperately need after shipping nine goals in their opening three Premier League games.

Noussair Mazraoui – Ajax

Finally, Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui could prove a steal for Arsenal, who are still in need of a new right-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu may provide some cover for the Gunners but he is still not a long-term solution in that position.

Mazraoui at 23 would be just that and once again, he is a player who has been linked with Arsenal before.

He likes to get forward and attack and Arsenal fans have always liked to see that from their full-backs.

It looks increasingly unlikely that he will sign a new contract at Ajax and as it stands, there has not been much public interest in Mazraoui, which could provide Arsenal with extra encouragement to get a deal done.

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